2025 Lexus NX vs 2025 Subaru Ascent

$40,965 · Crossover

$39,995 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The most significant numerical disparity between the 2025 Lexus NX and the 2025 Subaru Ascent is the 6 MPG difference in combined fuel economy, favoring the NX at 28 MPG versus the Ascent's 22 MPG. This efficiency advantage aligns with the NX's lower 203 horsepower compared to the Ascent's potent 260 horsepower, a difference of 57 hp. While the Ascent offers superior standard power and torque (277 lb-ft vs. 184 lb-ft), the Lexus maintains a $970 higher starting MSRP at $40,965 compared to $39,995. The Ascent also leads in physical size, measuring 196.8 inches long versus the NX's 183.5 inches, resulting in the NX having greater cargo capacity at 22.7 cubic feet against the Ascent's 17.8 cubic feet. The standard AWD on the Ascent contrasts with the NX's FWD configuration, influencing driving dynamics significantly.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Lexus NX

The 2025 Lexus NX is the better commuter vehicle due to its superior combined fuel economy rating of 28 MPG compared to the Ascent's 22 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Subaru Ascent

The 2025 Subaru Ascent is preferred for families because its significantly longer wheelbase (196.8 inches vs. 183.5 inches) suggests greater potential interior passenger volume, despite having less reported cargo space.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Subaru Ascent

Enthusiasts will favor the 2025 Subaru Ascent, which delivers substantially more power with 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque compared to the NX's 203 hp and 184 lb-ft.

💰 Best Value

2025 Subaru Ascent

The 2025 Subaru Ascent offers greater performance and standard All-Wheel Drive for $970 less than the base Lexus NX, yielding better measurable utility per dollar.

Choose the Lexus NX if...

Fuel efficiency is paramount, as the Lexus NX achieves 28 combined MPG versus 22 MPG for the Ascent.
You prioritize smaller exterior dimensions, with the NX measuring 183.5 inches long compared to the Ascent's 196.8 inches.
You prefer the smoother operation of a traditional 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission over a CVT.

Choose the Subaru Ascent if...

Maximum power is required, as the Ascent produces 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, notably more than the NX's figures.
All-Wheel Drive capability is a necessity, as it is standard on the Ascent, while the NX is listed as FWD.
You need robust cargo volume optimization, despite the Ascent's smaller listed capacity (17.8 cu ft), due to its significantly larger exterior footprint.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Lexus NX	Subaru Ascent
Length	183.5"	196.8"
Width	73.4"	76.0"
Height	66.1"	71.6"
Wheelbase	105.9"	113.8"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Lexus	Subaru
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Fog Lights	✓	—
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	2
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	—
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Adaptive Headlights	—	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Lexus	Subaru
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	2.4 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	flat 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	203 hp @ 6600 rpm	260 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque	184 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm	277 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Lexus	Subaru
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	all wheel drive
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Lexus	Subaru
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	26/33 MPG	20/26 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	28 MPG	22 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	377.0/478.5 mi.	386.0/501.8 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	14.5 gal.	19.3 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Lexus	Subaru
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	✓	—
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	—	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	—	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Lexus	Subaru
Infotainment Display	9.8 in	11.6 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	10	6
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	—
Auxiliary Audio Input	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Length	—	4 months

Power Feature

Feature	Lexus	Subaru
One-Touch Power Windows	4	2
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Reverse Tilt Passenger Mirror	✓	—
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Lexus	Subaru
Front Head Room	38.3 in.	41.2 in.
Front Leg Room	41.0 in.	42.2 in.
Front Shoulder Room	56.3 in.	61.1 in.
Front Hip Room	56.3 in.	57.8 in.
Seat Material: Leatherette	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	8-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	—
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	—
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	—
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Seat Material: Cloth	—	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	—	4-way

Rearseats

Feature	Lexus	Subaru
Rear Head Room	38.5 in.	40.0 in.
Rear Leg Room	36.1 in.	38.6 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	54.0 in.	60.3 in.
Rear Hip Room	52.5 in.	57.5 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	—
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Lexus	Subaru
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Size	18 x 7.5 in	18 x 7.5 in
Tire Size	235/60R18	245/60R
Run Flat Tires	✓	—
Wheel Material	—	Alloy
Tire Type	—	All Season
Spare Tire Type	—	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	—	Underbody Mounted

Suspension

Feature	Lexus	Subaru
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Lexus	Subaru
Basic Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	6 yr./ 70000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	6 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	4 yr./ unlimited mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	1 yr./ 10000 mi.	—

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Lexus NX and 2025 Subaru Ascent.

How significant is the power difference between the 2025 Lexus NX and the 2025 Subaru Ascent?

The difference is substantial; the 2025 Subaru Ascent provides 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, which is 57 more horsepower and 93 more lb-ft of torque than the Lexus NX's 203 hp and 184 lb-ft.

Which vehicle is more economical for long-distance driving?

The 2025 Lexus NX is significantly more economical, achieving a combined 28 MPG versus the Ascent's 22 MPG. The NX also maintains a better highway rating at 33 MPG compared to the Ascent's 26 MPG.

Does the cargo space favor the larger Subaru Ascent?

No, surprisingly the smaller Lexus NX offers more reported cargo volume at 22.7 cubic feet, while the larger Subaru Ascent measures only 17.8 cubic feet behind the second row.

What is the price difference between these two crossovers?

The base MSRP for the 2025 Subaru Ascent is $39,995, positioning it $970 less expensive than the 2025 Lexus NX, which starts at $40,965.

What drivetrain configurations are standard on these models?

The standard configuration for the 2025 Lexus NX utilizes Front Wheel Drive, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Conversely, the 2025 Subaru Ascent comes standard with All-Wheel Drive, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT).